President-elect Donald Trump says Venezuela's embattled opposition leader must be protected as President Nicolas Maduro takes the oath of office for a third six-year term.

STORY: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was sworn in for a third term on Friday despite a months-long election dispute and international calls for him to stand aside.Maduro's nearly 12 years in power have been marked by deep economic and social crisis.

Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro began a third term as president on Friday, cementing his increasingly authoritarian rule.